Cooling system

ABSTRACT

A closed system for cooling wherein a substance is vaporized by a heat source and conducted to a condenser. From the condenser, the substance enters coils in an evaporator, from which it is returned to the condenser and to the heat source.

United States Patent 1 3,620,297

[72] Inventor Orville Adkins [56] References Cited 313 Center St., New Richmond, Ohio UNITED STATES PATENTS 45157 [211 App]. No. 884,628 2,783,622 8/1957 Bourassa [65/43 [22] Filed Dec. 12, 1969 Primary ExaminerCharles Sukalo [45] Patented Nov, 16, 1971 Attorney-Robert G. McMorrow [54] COOLING SYSTEM 1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 165/23, ABSTRACT: A closed system for cooling wherein a substance 165/39, 165/44 is vaporized by a heat source and conducted to a condenser. [51] Int. Cl. B60h 3/04 From the condenser, the substance enters coils in an evapora- [50] Field of Search 165/23, 39, tor, from which it is returned to the condenser and to the heat 41-44, 51 source.

ME TEE/N6 V174 VE COOLING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention This invention relates to cooling systems of the class wherein an available heat source serves as the principal energy source for the system.

2. Statement of the Prior Art Insofar as is known, the present invention presents a unique means of employing available heat sources in cooling, as in the environment chosen for illustration herein-the interior of an automotive vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to the incorporation of a closed system for supplying cooling air within a given area, wherein the area is provided with an adjacent heat source. Essentially comprehended herein is the employment of a closed recirculating fluid system having a chamber associated with the existing heat source, a condenser and evaporator means, and having further a conduit system. A new and novel refrigerant substance, comprising a saline solution having the characteristic of a relatively low-temperature vaporization level is mounted in the system, and is continuously circulated toperform a heat-transfer function developing cooling air at the evaporator. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the saline solution consists of lithium bromide.

A principal objective of the invention resides therefore in the provision of a noncomplex cooling system which employs an existing and otherwise wasted heat source forprimary energization. Related to this objective is the more restrictive concept of supplying a closed system for interior cooling of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, the system employing the exhaust manifold of the vehicle as its principal heat source.

Another objective of the invention concerns the provision of a system as aforesaid which is reversible upon interchange or modification of minor components to provide a heat source.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexed drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a cooling system constructed and assembled in accordance with the teachings of this invention; and v FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a typical sectional form of a portion of exhaust manifold and showing the invention as associated therewith.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing in more detail, the system hereof, which is of broad applicability to the cooling of any defined space, having a source of heat, is illustratively shown in the environment of a motor vehicle. The vehicle has an internal combustion engine with a block 12 and an exhaust manifold 14. The manifold 14, which conveys the hot products of combustion to the vehicle exhaust system, is heated thereby during vehicle operation and thus constitutes a source of otherwise unused energy.

In the system of this invention an elongated, substantially rectangular liquid chamber 16 is secured to the manifold 14 by metallic straps 18 or other suitable clamping means. For purposes of description herein, the chamber 16 has an output end section 20 and an inlet end section 22. As shown in FIG. 1, the chamber is preferably provided with a safety valve 24 against the possibility of overpressurization.

A condenser 26 in the form of a second elongated tank is suitably mounted within the engine compartment and is spaced a sufficient distance from the chamber 16 to avoid significant heat transfer therebetween. Again for purposes of description, the condenser tank 26 has a first end wall 28 and a second end wall 30.

Within the passenger compartment of the vehicle a distribution unit 32 comprising an evaporator assembly is suitably disposed. The distribution unit includes a series of coils 34, and a fan 36. First conduit means 38 extends from the chamber 16, through the condenser 26, and comprises a portion of the distributor assembly. The conduit means comprises a first tube section 40 extending from the output end section of the chamber 16 to a one-way check valve 42. A second tube portion 44 extends from said valve and fully through the condenser 26, passing through suitable openings in the walls 28 and 30 thereof. The tube portion is joined to a sinusoidal section 46 extending through the coils 34, at which point the coils are evaporatively cooled-the fan 36 moving ambient air about the coils to cool the vehicle.

Second conduit means 48, comprising a pipe 50, extends from the section 46 to a metering valve 52. The valve 52 has a tube 54 which discharges into the condenser 26. Thus, fluid from the section 46 is deposited into the tank. I

A third conduit means 56 comprises a pipe 58 extending from the condenser 26, a solenoid control valve 60, and a return pipe 62 leading to the chamber 16.

The schematic diagram of FIG. l illustratively shows a typi cal electrical control system embodying a battery 64 having a line 66 extending to the valve 60. A line 68 extends from the solenoid to a thermal-responsive switch 70. The thermal switch is related to an on-off switch 72 and to the battery 64 by a line 74. The fan motor 76 is energized through positive and negative leads 78, 80. As indicated above, a supply of fluid in the form of a saline solution such as lithium bromide, or other suitable compositions having the characteristic of vaporization at relatively low temperatures, is maintained within the system. Operation of the invention is believed inherent in the foregoing description, and in the annexed drawing. The fluid is vaporized in the chamber 16 through heat transfer from the manifold. In this heated condition, it expands and passes through the conduits into the coil area wherein evaporative cooling occurs, causing ambient air forced to cross the coils to be cooled. As the fluid is reheated and returned to the condenser, wherein it is further heated by contact with that portion of the conduit extended therethrough, it liquifies, and is returned to the chamber 16 for recirculation, so long as the thermal control remains in the operating position.

I claim:

l. A cooling system for an automobile including a passenger compartment and an engine thermally isolated therefrom, said engine including an exhaust manifold, said cooling system comprising:

heat exchange means including a liquid-receiving chamber operatively coupled to said exhaust manifold for receiving heat therefrom, said liquid-receiving chamber carrying a pressure-responsive safety valve to limit the fluid pressure therein,

a condenser thermally isolated from said liquid-receiving chamber and having conduit means extending from the chamber of the heat exchange means and passing through the condenser but sealed from the interior of the same,

an evaporator fluid coupled to said conduit means passing through said condenser and operatively associated with the passenger compartment of the vehicle,

fan means for forcing air over the evaporator and through said compartment,

a one-way check valve within first conduit means between said heat exchange means chamber and said second conduit means coupling said evaporator to said condenser, a metering valve within said second conduit means for coittrolling fluid from said evaporator to said condenser, and third conduit means fluid coupling said condenser to said heat exchange means chamber and containing a solenoid 3 4 operated valve for controlling liquid condensate returnin response to increase in temperature within the same by ing to said heat exchange means liquid-receiving causing the circuit between said electrical current, said chamber, fan and said solenoid valve, and an electrical power supply for energizing said solenoid valve a captive Supply of lithium bromide in a system charac and said fan means, a thermostat located within said passenger compartment for simultaneously energizing said fan and said solenoid valve terized by a low vaporization level. 

1. A cooling system for an automobile including a passenger compartment and an engine thermally isolated therefrom, said engine including an exhaust manifold, said cooling system comprising: heat exchange means including a liquid-receiving chamber operatively coupled to said exhaust manifold for receiving heat therefrom, said liquid-receiving chamber carrying a pressureresponsive safety valve to limit the fluid pressure therein, a condenser thermally isolated from said liquid-receiving chamber and having conduit means extending from the chamber of the heat exchange means and passing through the condenser but sealed from the interior of the same, an evaporator fluid coupled to said conduit means passing through said condenser and operatively associated with the passenger compartment of the vehicle, fan means for forcing air over the evaporator and through said compartment, a one-way check valve within first conduit means between said heat exchange means chamber and said second conduit means coupling said evaporator to said condenser, a metering valve within said second conduit means for controlling fluid from said evaporator to said condenser, and third conduit means fluid coupling said condenser to said heat exchange means chamber and containing a solenoid operated valve for controlling liquid condensate returning to said heat exchange means liquid-receiving chamber, an electrical power supply for energizing said solenoid valve and said fan means, a thermostat located within said passenger compartment for simultaneously energizing said fan and said solenoid valve in response to increase in temperature within the same by causing the circuit between said electrical current, said fan and said solenoid valve, and a captive supply of lithium bromide in a system characterized by a low vaporization level. 